click here Fundamentals Explained

There are various roof devices offered in today's market, each with several assets and weaknesses. Below I will definitely illustrate each system briefly, and then provide the advantages and disadvantages.

Thermoplastic and also PVC- Singular ply, can be mechanically connected, totally attached or even ballasted.

Pros- Superior efficiency in ponding water scenarios. Incredibly light in weight roofs, in the neighborhood of 30lbs. per one hundred sq. ft. Is available in white colored if a trendy roof is desired, or in a number of different shades for artistic problems. Yet another plus with these roofs is that big custom made area pieces could be bought coming from the manufacturing plant, minimizing seams sealed by the team on the jobsite. Immune to ozone, algae as well as area joints are actually 3-4 opportunities more powerful than EPDM submitted joints. There is actually additionally a tremendous amount of versatility in the component. And also since seams can be welded with hot air, there are no harmful fumes to handle. Both 15 as well as two decades warranties available.

Cons- Being single ply, they are susceptible to disposed of cigarettes, sharp objects went down on the membrane, and damaged glass from bottles thrown on roof (this happens a LOT) I typically dissuade clients from setting up these kinds of bodies if the roof has a bunch of foot web traffic or is quickly accessible to unauthorized personnel. In the past, material shrinkage was at opportunities an intense concern on Thermoplastic and also PVC rooftops, yet improvements in arrangement as well as production has alleviated this problem. These roofing systems still shrink in time, though not to the point of breakdown as over the last.

Profit- Wonderful roof coverings, specifically on roof coverings that pond water highly, provided that the roof is typically accessible only to accredited staffs.

Asphalt Changed Asphalt- This roof is what a ton of individuals contact a rubber roof, when it is in fact composed mostly of asphalt. It can be found in 3 ft. large rolls as well as is typically torched down with an open blaze, though they may be used with hot air welders in certain health conditions at the same time.

Pros- In my point of view, the greatest stamina of these roofing systems is just how properly they resist outside worries. They manage feet web traffic better than some other membrane layer, as well as are tough to pierce, particularly if they have a granulated surface. These rooftops are actually therefore difficult in fact, that the majority of insurer won't even recognize hail damage as they carry out on various other roofing systems (I have individually observed customized roofing systems absolutely mauled with hail and also visit totally undamaged).

Drawbacks- The best glaring disadvantage along with these units is that there is a joint every three feet, that makes for a TON OF seams. If you have an attentive staff with a competent supervisor who will make certain that every joint on the roof is three-way examined, you'll most likely be alright using this system. Or even, you could be pretty sure you will end up with leaks fairly soon, well before the warranty expires in my experience. And large ponding areas of water on these systems will degrade the material prematurely.

Bottom line- With a good, experienced crew this Website can be a good roof on a building that does not pond water excessively. And if you have a building with a lot of rooftop foot traffic, this is probably the only way to go.

Foam roofs- This system is applied with a large spray unit, spraying two liquid components (isocyanate and resin) When the liquids are mixed together, they expand 20-30 times and will adhere to concrete, wood, steel and most existing roof systems, but according to the manufacturers, NOT to modified bitumen.

Pros- When complete, the roof is monolithic with no seams, fully adhered and has insulating properties.

Cons- Full disclosure, I have limited experience with these roofs here in NE Illinois. We don't install them, but I have been on 9-10 buildings with this system, and all of them leaked badly, in a couple of cases within months of being installed. Leaks are very difficult to track down and difficult to fix even when found, as repair materials don't adhere to this surface very well.

Bottom line- Based on my admittedly limited experience with this system, I would not advise my clients to go this route when a new roof is needed.

EPDM Rubber- Rubber roofs can be fully adhered, mechanically fastened or weighed down with ballast (Riverbed gravel or pavers) They are versatile, appropriate for many installations and have a long track record.

Pros- Rubber roofs are relatively inexpensive, easy to install and repair. They are available in large sheets to minimize the number of field seams, and there is quite bit of flexibility in the membrane.

Cons- Field seams on these roofs are not as strong as Thermoplastic roofs. Flashings and roof edges tend to wear out more quickly than the remainder of the roof. Shrinkage over long periods can be dramatic in some applications.

Bottom line- Can be a good investment for a building owner, but all of the circumstances of a given installation must be carefully weighed. And good workmanship on the install is vital.

Spray applied roofing- These are not technically re-roofs, they are considered coatings. Some companies refer to them as "re-plys", as you are essentially adding a ply to the existing roof surface. There are numerous manufacturers offering various products with different compositions and specification, too numerous to go into fully here. If an existing roof is experiencing leaks but has not advanced to the point of outright failure, them may be good candidates for this solution.

Pros- Can be extremely cost effective, especially on roofs that have a lot of projections and rooftop HVAC units. The material is pure white, which in some cases (especially on metal roofs) can dramatically reduce AC cooling costs. As this is considered to be roof repairs rather than a new roof, there are tax advantages as well.

Cons- The existing roof must still be in somewhat decent condition. If applied to a roof that has already failed, your money will basically be wasted. Also, since this material is sprayed on, any cars within 100 ft or so must be moved during the application process, as this material will be extremely difficult if not impossible to remove from a car's finish. Some manufacturers do not warranty this material if there is ANY ponding water on the roof. Can not be applied to a roof with an existing gravel ballast.

Bottom line- This solution may save a building owner a lot of money, if the existing roof is in good enough condition to accept the coating. Excellent solution for metal roofs in particular.

As you can see, there are many different solutions to your flat roofing needs. It is vital however to choose a roofer who will recommend the best system for your particular roof and circumstances, and not the best solution for his wallet. Be sure you understand why a roofer is recommending a particular system for your project, and which system will be the best investment for you.